"Considering everything, this has been a brilliant campaign and the players deserve all the recognition for it," said the Villarreal manager, Marcelino.
The Villarreal coach, Marcelino García Toral, was asked before this weekend's game if he was worried that Barcelona would complain that he was putting out a weakened team.
We can't just go out there and let them laugh at us". Results Eibar 0-2 Espanyol; Granada 2-0 CórdoBarcelonalona 2-0 Real Sociedad; Real Madrid 2-2 VAthletic Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Deportivo; Levante 2-2 Atlético Madrid; Villarreal 1-0 Elche; Almería 1-2 Málaga; Celta 1-1 Sevilla.
The Villarreal manager Marcelino was not happy.
True to their style, one that has made them arguably the most enjoyable team to watch in Spain this season, the team that went on a 28-game run of scoring in every match, Villarreal showed personality as well as precision and pace.
With no European football, unlike Atletico, Sevilla and Villarreal, and a week to prepare for every game, a Champions League place looks a certainty.
Villarreal: quietly going about being very, very good indeed – 389 minutes without conceding, five wins in a row and a manager who declares himself "proud … and very satisfied".
Erm, yeah, sorry about that … Results: Atletico 3-1 Levante, Sevilla 1-0 CElche Elche 2-2 Villarreal, Deportivo 1-0 Athletic, Málaga 1-2 Almería, Getafe 1-2 Rayo, Valencia 2-1 Madrid, Espanyol 1-2 EibaRealeal Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona Monday night: Córdoba v Granada.
Subs: Koke, Raúl García and Turan (Atlético), Bale, Alonso, Benzema and Ramos (Real Madrid), Iniesta and Messi (Barcelona), Rico, Gurpegui, Laporte, Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Trashorras and Larrivey (Rayo Vallecano), Navas (Levante), Bacca (Sevilla), Bruno, Gio and Musacchio (Villarreal), Vela (Real Sociedad).
Athletic Bilbao returned to the Champions League and brilliantly; Villarreal returned to the top flight and to Europe.
If Madrid had chances, so too did Villarreal.
